Living and Learning in Central Oregon

Last night was the first day of ITSC with David Pogue delivering the keynote – what a great presentation.  He warned us about trying to predict the future of technology.  What a very true statement.  I remember when I was flunking out of Tulane University and wanted change my major from eletrical engineering (hardware) to computer science (software).   I really loved my first programming class and I was tearing up my Apple IIE (remember it was 1984) My dad was very much opposed to it.  I remember is words well ” there is not going to be a need for software.”  And as a foolish 18 year old who never bucked his father I listened to him.  I never became an electrical engineer, finding my calling as a teacher and as a principal instead.  But I can’t help but think what could have been. 

Today’s long session for me was entitled “Everything Google”.  I am convinced that Google will someday rule the world and we will all be better off.  Is Google the best thing out there or what?  Lynn Lary did a fantastic job leading us through some of the cool tools, gadgets and features Google offers.  Why any IT dept. would block Google is beyond me.

I hate to tell you this dad but you were wrong.  Web 2.0 has taken over and it is all because of software (with a little hardware thrown in for good measure). 

Moving at the Speed of Creativity by Wesley Fryer is one of the blogs that I monitor regularly.  Wesley recently posted a draft of a presentation on 1:1 and School 2.0.  Being in the middle of a 1:1 project myself I took the time to listen to his podcast.  Everything he discussed and the visions he described are exactly what I am aiming for at my school.  We are a few weeks out before our 6th graders get the laptops and my biggest concern has not been handing thirty 12 year olds a $1600 machine.  Rather, staff development, or lack thereof has been my biggest concern. If our 1:1 project is going to resemble anything like what Wes discusses we are going to have to increase staff development dramatically. And if I want my school start moving toward School 2.0 the whole staff has to be trained. I think this is true for my school and all schools.  I find the tech literacy skills our teachers very lacking. In general they do not know what could be, they are too burdened with how things are and in the day to day regimine.  But it is not their fault.  It is the fault of school leadership (me included) and the lack of resources allocated to transform our school from 1.0 to 2.0.   Take a listen to Wes’ podcast.  It will make you think.

http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/02/01/podcast122-the-case-for-11-and-school-20-draft/